It' a mad mad world [QUEST EVENT]

[Eternal Mage, Aether.]

“I don't know anything about my sister. I don't know if it because I lack the memories, or I simply don't know.” I notice Riley is looking down at the ground. Maybe she feels bad about her guild? I guess I may be able to do something about it. No, I think I will do nothing with that building. This town needs to move on, that former guild needs to move on and Riley needs to move on. So I'll keep it to myself. Whatever Riley is going through emotionally is something I feel that will not last. I might need to send a request to the family that might help her with that.

“Maybe, but what can we do from this point? There're people all over the town that's getting hurt. Innocent people are dying, and I am just standing here. It's possible in my past life, on second thought, I am sure of it that I have hurt this town in some way.” I'm no hero, don't get me wrong. I don't have some sort of hero complex it just I know I've done wrong. I'm much closer to that of a villain. That why I give this burden to myself, even if that means catching this disease. “Catching the DCD wouldn't bother me at. Even if it somehow kills me, I don't mind. If that means I can help one single person.” I stare at Riley's profile with conviction.

She might think I have this hero complex, or masochist. It's at this moment that I don't know what else to do. Whatever she suggests must be better than us standing here. So hopefully she has some sort of plan, or I'm diving into the chaos.

[Merc]

Riley nodded in understanding as Aether revealed that he had no idea what had happened to his sister. In the beginning she had only been grasping at straws, so she didn't feel to great of a loss when she realized she couldn't learn anything more from him.

He seemed insistent on throwing himself into the fray and blabbered on about helping and seeking redemption. A lot of it reminded of herself, just a couple short years ago. He watched her and she eyed him in return. He was older than her, as far as she could tell, probably closer to her brother's age, but there was a certain naivety about him.

That or he was just an idiot.

Reaching out, she would bring her fist down on his forehead, though not with anywhere near the might that she had displayed the previous day, if it hit him, it probably only hurt for a second, more so from shock than anything else.

"A life is a terrible thing to waste." Riley commented, prowling along the edge of the building and peering down below, she shrugged. "I don't have all the answers, but the riots and such below shouldn't worry you as much as the governments response to all of this." She came to a slow halt at the corner of the building, her bright green eyes somehow appearing listless as she stared over the ruined city.

"Don't you think that if the city starts to seem unsalvageable, or if the containment of the area starts to falter and there's threat of the disease getting out, that they might just wipe it off the map entirely?" She peered over her shoulder at him for a few long moments before returning to look at the city. "It wouldn't surprise me. Sacrifice the hand to save the body, as they say... They haven't asked me to step in and help, which makes me all the more suspicious..."

[Eternal Mage, Aether.]

OOC: Got permission to skip

Riley raised her fist and punched me in my forehead. It's not a random act of violence, but as if she's trying to knock some sense into me. I fall on my butt and I rub my forehead where she hit me. There's a small bump on my head from where she hit me. “A waste, huh.” I get back to my feet and dust myself off and listen to Riley. What she is saying does make sense, but I am not sure whether they will actually do that, or least I hope not. “As long as I am in town, that'll be impossible.” I don't say like I have confidence in myself, because I don't. I am also not even important enough for the government to go out of their way to avoid me.




“For something to do that it'll take something to be far away. Something like that we can see coming at right at us I can deflect.” I begin pinching my forehead, so I can think about this. Something like that be impossible to do without some sort of black lash from the people. They wouldn't do that, would they? As Riley's mention, the government not asking for her help is unusual. Even I've heard she recently became a saint wizard. “No, I think something like that they have to do something preplanned, like setting up an underground. It'll be a lot easier to cover up anyway. This is more of your home turf, even if it has been a while. I'll follow whatever direction or objective you can come up with.” I am not sure where to begin if we do look for clues. Though Riley would have a lot better idea than I would. Her old guild was about information on the government so if anyone knew that, it be her.

[Merc]

Aether had a point, she supposed, but she wasn't so sure that stopping some sort of large scale attack would be as easy as he seemed to suggest it was. Ideally, they could repel an attack like that, but realistically she had no idea what to expect. She was pretty sure the world government would throw Onibas to the wolves if it was for the greater good, though.

Listening to him, Riley was surprised when he suddenly told her that he was going to do whatever she wanted him to do. Turning to look at him, she puffed out a bit of an exhale, mauling the situation over a few more times. It was just yesterday that she met with Walts, and as far as she knew the government was still operating in the area. Could they know something more about the situation? Could they suggest someplace for them to start looking for clues? Places that they perhaps could not get to or could not spare people to explore?

"Lets see if we can find a high ranking government official. It might give us a place to start, at least." She finally announced, using a single finger to scratch at her cheek, she sighed softly before waving her hand towards him. Assuming he didn't throw himself out of the way, he would find himself feeling lighter on his feet.

"I've reduced the pull of gravity on you to the same degree that I have on myself. It's better to use the rooftops for travel, for the time being. Just keep an eye out for people in uniform." Riley didn't bothered to wait for him, just turned on her heels and began to bound to a nearby rooftop.

[Kitty Kat Astra]

There were plenty of people in uniforms alright. Only issue was, that they could only find these individuals on their chest, battered and broken. The madness that was unfolding within Onibas was of the most critical nature. It seemed that those who had become infected were desperately trying to scour through everything, trying to find anything that could point them in the direction of a cure. They were like animals. Those who weren't infected were fleeing, screaming and crying. When one of them fell, the others were running over them, stepping their bodies into the ground. Most never managed to get up standing again...

It seemed that the infected raiders were specifically targetting officials. They were the ones with the most answers. It was possible that some of the officials had been dragged off into the world where the raiders were pouring in from. There was the possibility that, if they made action and headed towards the raiders camp, they could find someone with some answers. It should be very obvious at this point though, that all kinds of people were among the infected raiders. Even competent mages.

[Eternal Mage, Aether.]

Suddenly, I feel much lighter compare to before. As if I'm in a pool of water and can make high jumps. "I understand." I'd better make myself a bit useful and not hold her Riley back. I channel my magic throughout my body as I then push it out of my body. The magic from my body is extending over to Riley. Now, our bodies will move much faster than before. "I've increased our body movement dramatically with that spell." To think just the other day I was being chased by everyone and everything to the point that I needed help and now here I am being somewhat useful.

"Maybe we should head towards the mayor's office? Is it's the main government office in the town; I can make a guess that the closer we get there, the more likelihood we'll find someone from the government." Of course, we might not encounter anyone in that direction. It just makes sense to me is all. "How about you take the front while I will watch your back. I specialize in defense rather than in offense. If any spells or weapons be fired at us, I can keep us protected with my magic." Most of that is true, but I also have another reason for this. It's better if I keep that to myself, or I might be in a world of hurt. I move directly behind Riley and put myself in a defensive position.

I look at our surroundings and see there's no change since earlier. We're going to have to be extra careful and avoid close range as possible. There's no telling who is infected and who isn't. Until we can do something about the city our best option, I think is to avoid everyone. I reach up to my forehead and rub it a bit. The pain is long now. Thankfully, Riley didn't do to me like she did before. "Oh and thank you. Sometimes, I need some sense to knock into me." Inside my own head I think of words of power. They don't do anything exactly, but gives me courage. ~MY BONES ARE MADE OF STEEL. MY BLOOD IS MADE OF IRON. I'VE TASTED BLOOD, I'VE TASTED VICTORY, BUT NEVER DEFEAT. I AM A SHIELD AND I CANNOT BE BROKEN!~ "I'm ready, just lead the way."

[Merc]

Feeling magic wash over her, Riley looked to Aether for an explanation, which he provided without her prompting. "Hmn, I see." She mused, sounding slightly impressed. Looking at a palm, she once more pondered his magic - when things slowed down, she'd make an effort to ask what exactly his magic was.

"Alright, I'll lead the way to the office. Keep your eyes open along the way." Riley agreed with a nod of her head. He suddenly thanked her and she shrugged. "It was nothing." She promised. With this, she leaped off of the edge of the building and began bounding towards the Mayor's Office - which was pretty easy even without flying, because of both of their magics.

As they went along, she paused occasionally to observe things that were happening below, particularly when she spied government officials splayed out on the ground below. "Hm..." She mused to herself. Leaping off to the next building, her jacket fluttered wildly behind her as she free fell to the next one in life.

 "There's the Mayor's Office up ahead." She announced, casting a glance in his general direction. "Be careful, there's no telling what we'll face up here."

[Kitty Kat Astra]

The situation at the Mayor's office was the same as the rest of the city. Things were being torn apart, lit on fire, by screaming fanatics. There were several of the dead on the open area. Others were smearing the infected blood all over their bodies, proving just how infected they were. The offices themselves were ravaged and broken. The glasses shattered, and the flags that had been hanging above the building were now wrapped around the bodies of a couple of raiders that were running around with the flags themselves dragging across the ground. It was complete anarchy. There seemed to be nothing inside, aside from raiders and bodies. It really seemed that there were other options that were better searching for, unless they wanted to battle through the office complex hoping to find something.

[Eternal Mage, Aether.]

Me and Rile are leaping to each building that is nearest to us. We're moving at an alarming rate, and it looks like no one has noticed us. If anyone did notice us, they're unable to keep up with our speed and said to forget it. Between jumps, I keep a look out if a flying spell or something come at us. However, most of my attention is not really on our surroundings. I'm actually stealing a look at Riley lower behind every time her cloak flutters and gives me a clear view. Not going to lie, if someone does throw a random fire ball while I am peeking, I might die. Of course, course, whenever Riley looks back I cover it up by pretending to look around for trouble. If that does that happen, it'll be worth it. Have you not looked at her behind, pretty damn awesome. No wonder her guild used to be popular, right there is a good draw. It doesn't take too long for us to reach the mayor's office with our magic combination. My magic is a curse right now because I wanted to appreciation it a bit longer.

Finally, we've arrived at a building nearby to the mayor's office. My ass appreciation is over as the scene around us is completely insane. Insanity stole into the people mind like a deranged thief, taking what was important to them, adding new dangerous ideas, seeding a new personality and muddling up the rest. There is blood and dead bodies everywhere. My ears are filled with screams of the innocent getting hurt. They're covering themselves with infect blood like some craze cult. "This is insane...What are they doing?!" I feel disgusted with everyone around me and for once I feel like I am sane. I want to go down there and break everything up. Tell everyone to stop what they're doing, but I know that won't work. "Damn it, we need to...Damn it!" No matter what I say or do right now nothing will change. I close my eyes, and begin counting backwards to calm myself down. "Riley, what do you want to do? We shouldn't have any trouble in getting inside the building. Though I have no idea what is going on inside."

[Merc]

Crouching on the edge of the building, the tips of her toes poking slightly over the edge, Riley surveyed the area carefully, her bright green eyes unblinking as she took in the horrors below. She could hear Aether lamenting behind her but remained eerily silent as she thought. For better or worse, the demon world had changed her. Not so long ago she's have probably reacted in the same way that he was, but after experiencing so much horror on a daily basis, she became startlingly impassive to it all - at least on the surface.

"It seems a side effect of the disease is madness." She mused, resting her elbows on her knees as she leaned forwards slightly, peering below them. "A magical disease, hm?" She had never heard of it until the day before, so did that mean it was new? Could something that occurred naturally really have gone unnoticed for so long when it had such terrible side effects? Did that mean that someone had purposely made the virus.

Her eyes narrowed at the thought, but she didn't bother to say it aloud. Once more, she had wasted enough time.

"Well, we came this far. Might as well keep going." Running her fingers through her dark hair as she thought, Riley glanced over the area a final time. "I'll go down first and use my magic to floor everyone down there, just in case. Try to avoid going near the blood, I'm not sure how easy the disease can be transferred, but I'd rather not find out the hard way."

With this, she slid off of the edge of the building, falling towards the ground below at a slowed pace with the aid of her magic. As she neared the ground, people started to hit the earth, dropping down like dead flies as her gravity manipulating abilities forced them into the dirt. Without glancing back to see what Aether was up to, she made her way towards the doors of the office.

[Kitty Kat Astra]

What greeted Riley when she so carelessly jumped from the building, was a quick detection and alarm going out. Alarm, in the form of screaming, pointing, shouting, and several threats that she was going to get murdered. The sheer amount of magic pressing down, was enough to subdue all of the regular people, almost crushing them into the ground. However, there were several still standing, and due to the reckless entrance even more were pouring in. There were some capable of barely standing in the zone. Others were only struggling a little. It seemed that everyone who was fearing for their lives in this area, disbelieving that the authorities could do anything, had joined some sort of resistance group.

...So when Riley reached ground level, there was something prepared for her. A mage, dressed in green silk, slammed his hands into the ground. The earthen ground where Riley was landing turned into several spikes, stretching upwards at rapid speeds. Another was mindlessly charging forwards, half his body torn to shreds as he had lost his mind at the impending death the disease was said to bring.

[Eternal Mage, Aether.]

I watch from the roof and for a moment I am just in awe at Riley display. However, there are a few mage's able to withstand her magic. I take this to jump down and attempt to guard Riley. It doesn't take me long to reach to Riley and behind her. “Riley, I believe that we should just combine our magic and head straight to the roof. Trying to force our way through the front door is pointless and suicidal.” One of the mages sent some sort of earth spell that can be dangerous.

However, in this position, I can activate my defense magic. Riley earlier must have thought I was being egoistic. However, with time magic and Counter magic, I have the strongest defense in the world! I create a small reflecting barrier surrounding both me and Riley. The barrier goes in a complete 360 angle, which including underground. For the next three seconds, any long-range spell will be reflected back to the caster, but double strength! This includes spell underneath us. However, this reflects spell works nothing in close range. So it won't work on the mad running man infected. “Take us to the roof because something unexpected happens.”

[Merc]

Riley was greeted with the sort of behavior that she had gotten used to since returning from the demon world - which was hatred and violence. It neither frightened nor alarmed her, and she was preparing for a fight when she suddenly sensed someone behind her and glanced to see Aether - who for some reason had jumped down after her.

Sure, she saw the spikes on the ground, but she could fly, so as far as she was concerned, these people were of little threat to her.

Irregardless, Aether set up a barrier around them, so she apparently didn't need to even try to dodge it. He seemed to prefer taking the roof, even though she was prepared to go through the front and bulldoze through whatever lay in their way, but he seemed to prefer a more stealthy approach.

With a sigh, she nodded, no longer used to having to sneak around like a sewer rat. "Alright, I guess we'll do this your way..." She slowly agreed. Since he insisted that she get their asses to the roof right away, her body gleamed with yellow light as she entered a form that he would recognize from the previous day.

Scooping him up bridal style with surprising ease, which was perhaps in part due to her gravity magic, Riley's feet immediately left the ground, and she flew towards the roof at a speed that most wouldn't have even been able to follow with their eyes, much less match.

Landing without making a sound, she set Aether gently on his feet and the glow faded from her body. Rolling her shoulders to shrug off the strain of the short lived spell, she peered around the rooftop. "What now?"

Spell Name: Stellar Body
Type: Heavenly Body
Level: A
Range: Self
Description: Instead of outputting astrological energy gathered from the stars, Riley holds it within her body, causing her to glow a brilliant white. In this form she can move through the air at incredible speeds, no longer limited to simply fighting on the ground. It is incredibly hard to detect her in this form (unless she's hovering still), and even harder to catch her. This spell increases her agility, and speed by 75%, and doubles her damage output for physical attacks while this is active.
Drawback: In addition to constantly draining magic while the spell is active, when it has ended she suffers from extreme fatigue. The longer the mode is active the worse she suffers. If it lasts for more than six posts than she is fatigued in the next chronological thread and unable to use Stellar Body within it.

[Kitty Kat Astra]

The earthern spikes from the mage spell shot into the barrier of Aether, then simply breaking upon themselves as their force was reflected. This caused the ground underneath to rupture violently, as Aether and Riley made their escape back onto the rooftops. It seemed the mages that had been hit with the gravity magic weren't quite able to follow. Instead they were coughing and wheezing as the virus in their bodies were continuing to weaken them, moment by moment. In the meantime however, there was fire and quakes spreading through the office complex across the street. The fanatics were running out with bodies of officials, dragging them across the ground while beating them with clubs, chanting You knew nothing, so you became nothing~ in a sickening chorus... At this point it was doubtful that anyone inside was left alive. Security had been killed long ago, and it was doubtful that diplomats and politicians could do anything against an armed mob... Perhaps it was time Aether and Riley considered their options?

[Eternal Mage, Aether.]

Well, I didn't expect Riley to lift me up like this as she carries to me to the next roof. When I woke up this morning, I didn't foresee that this would happen to me. Quick, I need to put together a perfect joke. [Why not "why Riley, I did not even know you were willing]. Good, but not exactly what I am thinking. -Tell her to watch where she's touching? Not like you mind?- Good, but I am not sure that it too far. Inside my head, all the voices are sitting around a round table and we're all trying to come up with the perfect pun for this situation.

Voice 2: How about, "I knew I'd sweep you off of your feet sooner or later."

Well she is sweeping me off of my feet so that joke doesn't work. Come on guys, we can do this! There are tons of puns we can make here, and we may not get another chance to do it again!

Voice 3: Why don't you hold onto her tightly, blush, and turn your head?

Oh that sounds nice, but we need a good pun for this. After much debate among my voices, we finally came up with something. As we fly to the roof, I hold onto Riley a bit tighter. " Please Riley, be gentle with me. It's my first time." I turn my head to face away from her while pretending to blush. I look behind me and see the madness with the crowd. Why are they doing this? Because they give up or is it part of the virus? Hopefully, we can find an answer to at least create peace within the city.